STATE GRANT AWARDED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY

 HARRISBURG, DEC. 16 – In announcing the awarding of a state grant for land use planning, state Sen. Connie Williams said that development must be based on solid planning.

 Montgomery County was approved for a $36,900 Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program grant, which will be used toward the administration of the comprehensive plan.

 “Solid planning is the springboard from which intergovernmental cooperation and coordination will launch future smart growth and development in the county and the municipalities within the county,” Williams said. “Planning also allows municipalities, the county and the state to work together to develop a single vision for the region’s community and economic development priorities. That cooperation can assure that vision will become reality.”

 The LUTAP program provides financial assistance to municipalities and counties for the purpose of developing and strengthening community planning and implementation efforts. The major priorities of the program include encouraging intergovernmental cooperation between municipalities, counties and other private partners, revitalizing core communities through planning for community and economic development and improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth’s communities.

 Grants, which usually represent a 50 percent state match to dollars contributed by local governments, are awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development.